24 Days of Christmas - Day 8 - Holiday Greetings for My Neighbors

 Here's another one of my holiday gifts for neighbors. It's called a mussie tussie, and was popular several years ago. I think it's a perfect gift for those neighbors who mean a lot to me. They know I'm a crafter and expect something homemade.

I started with a toilet paper roll (any cardboard tube will do) and wrapped it with designer paper. Then I added some frills around it - lace, button, bow, etc. From there I chose trinkets to put inside. I have a wooden nutcracker ornament, candy cane, snowflake buttons and a string of crafting pearls.

I already dropped off my first mussie tussie and now I'm ready to deliver this one. Since I have quite a few yet to craft, I think I'll show off the rest (once they're made) in one post. I have a lot more crafting ideas bubbling in my brain. time waits for no crafter!

24 Days of Christmas - Day 4 - Holiday Mussie Tussie

 

Does anyone remember when Mussie Tussies were popular? I even facilitated a craft workshop for Valentine's Day back in the day. Well, I'm bringing them back this Christmas. Inspiration hit me one night as I was sitting and contemplating my polished nails in the bathroom. I saw an empty toilet paper roll sitting NOT in the trash basket and, well, here is my finished project.

First I covered my cardboard troll with designer paper (I believe it's from DCWV), one end extending from the stapled-closed bottom; I cut 1/2" slits in the paper before folding them over the top opening, and adhering it all with spray adhesive.

I added a piece of coordinating paper to the bottom, the houses and snow-covered ground adhered to the bottom to make my little scene. To give the bottom a little dimension and shine, I added a line of pearls. Up top, I ringer slightly larger pearls and added the silver bow.

I had to stuff the bottom of my Tussie with tissue paper so that my tiny gifts could be seen when hung up. If you zoom in, you can see the Christmas tree, candy canes, snowflakes, star and kitty. I used a piece of leftover lace with which to hang my ornament/wall decor/holiday gift. 

Last Christmas I decorated cardboard book boxes, filled them with handmade trinkets and gave them to my neighbors. This year they'll get my Mussie Tussies with a tag, in place of a card.

Sorry I missed yesterday's make. I had just returned from a 2-week cruise. I had crafted the forst 2 projects before I left, but didn't have time before nor after to get yesterday's made and posted...

Happy Halloween Crafting!

My newest passion this Halloween is crafting mussie tussies.  This one features a QKD September release called "Witchy" by artist Kathy Cyr.  Isn't she too cute??  Which makes her perfect for a Halloween Treat Holder.

I colored Witchy with my Copics and then fiussy-cut her out and put her aside to "rest" while I built my tussie.  I covered a toilet paper roll with Halloween patterned paper, then adhered the bottom closed.

After attaching some fun Halloween ribbon for the handle, I adhered this gorgeous black bat ribbon from fellow DT member Holley Barnhart to make a bottom and top border.

I decided to keep the embellishments simple so my image is the thing showcased on my project.  A jack-o-lantern sticker and a haunted house "woodie" set the scene.

Before adding the image, I used Copic YR02 to draw a "path" from the house to my little witch.  I adhered her with dimensional tape and my mussie tussie is ready to fill.

So what do you think:  candy for a co-worker, or embellies for a fellow crafter??  The possibilities are endless!!

If you need inspiration with your Halloween projects, check out the QKD store for new stamp and digi releases as well as some fun ideas.

Halloween Treat Holder

Have you ever heard of a mussie tussie??  Neither did I until a Facebook group I am on discussed a swap for Halloween!  So of course the first place I went to was Pinterest, and there were a lot of examples! Here is what I came up with.

The treat holder is built up from a "toilet paper roll" base. The first one I made (careful, these are very addicting!)I covered with patterned paper, then adhered the bottom flat.

I added a gorgeous flower spray handmade by my crafting friend Shannon Leffew, to the bottom.  After attaching a string of pearls to the top for a handle, I added some wired organza ribbon and tied a bow front and back.

For embellishments, I added tiny pumpkin buttons to the branches of my spooky tree, and a sticker sentiment "treats."


I started the next mussie tussie the same way, covering a toilet paper roll with patterned paper and closing the bottom flat.  You can't see it in the photo but I used a corrugating tool to emboss some lines into the bottom.

I decided to go with a Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead theme, using the skull patterned paper as well as some cool skull 3D stickers.  Purple and pink are the main colors here, so I inked the edges of my container with purple ink.

I adhered a crown to my skull, inking it first with the coordinating pink color. I also used black lace tied into a bow at the top of my cone, attaching a tag that reads "Dia de los Muertos.  A few sequins and coordinating sticker flourishes finish off my mussie tussie.  I used Tim Holtz Idea-ology tinsel ribbon for the handle here.

You might see more mussie tussies on my blog, as these are SO addicting and fun to make.  While these two are for the swap, I'll be making more for my co-workers and sisters and neighbors and...

Now I have to think of what to fill it up with!  Candy?  Crafting supplies? Hmmm, I think this might take more time than it did to make my mussie tussies!!